Outside Reading EIGHT

This week I read an article in The Star Tribune titled Yards of Yule by Brian Leehan. This article was about a family in Egan MN that has continued a tradition of decorating their yard with outrageous Christmas decorations. The tradition runs in the family and has continued for twenty years! The display is mainly made up of figures of Jesus and not so many Santa Lights, this is because the owner and his children wanted to focus on Christ because they believe that is the most important part of Christmas. The tradition is not a cheap one, and every year the owner makes an addition to the collection on top of paying electric bill costs. Although the family has great cheer there spirits are sometimes altered by vandalism and people who feed on stealing items from the display. I believe the central message of this article is traditions bring people comfort in times of need. I also think the idea of this article is you are never to old to celebrate Christmas!!!

Outside Reading SEVEN

Today I read an article in People Magazine titled Akon Sounds Off on Michael Jackson and Barack Obama by Jesse Curti. The article focused on Akon's new musical ideas and how he has began work with bands like New Kids on the Block. Akon talked about his respect for other musicians and his new found success. He has turned a new corner in his life and is now enjoying freedom and musical genuineness. He has become a man interested in many things and a supporter of Obama. After reading this article i learned even convicts or the lease likely person can turn out to be a successful person. People can always change and after reading this article I think Akon has really changed for the better. This article really taught me to look for the best in the least likely people.

Outside Reading SIX

Today I read an article in US Weekly titled "I Lost Myself", this article was written by Mara Reinstein. This article was written after Mara had an interview with Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears. The article touches on how Britney' s father helped get her life back into control after a crazy past year. The article was written after Britney completed her documentary with MTV about how she has lost control. The documentary will show how she has began to take responsibility for herself and her life. Her father also has taken on much of the responsibility and monitors all her behavior, and even decides if her dresses are appropriate to wear or not. She also has become a better and loving mother, who is surprisingly very good with her children. This article is inspiring and taught me as a reader to remember you control your life, and it never to let to fix something that is wrong. It is an inspiring story as a fan of hers to see that Britney has control over her life again, and I wish her the best!

Outside Reading FIVE

This week i read the article Yes, We Eloped in US magazine, this article was by Kevin O'Leary. The story talked all about Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from the Hills. The two got married while on a trip to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. The whole article was basically a dialogue between Heidi and Spencer that relieved all the details about their ceremony. The two decided to elope because Heidi's family does not like Spencer and did not want her to even date him, let alone marry him. I believe the message of this article was to follow your heart and you will always be happy. The two loved each other and wanted to be married and now love their lives together because they did exactly what they wanted to do. I believe it also teaches readers that life is short and that living in the moment makes life more exciting and fun. This article was upbeat and made it seem like living in the moment is the best choice, and was a little persuasive.

Out Side Reading FOUR

This week i read an article in People Magazine. The article was titled Trial Begins in Fatal Cyber-Bullying Case by Howard Breuer. I believe the message of this article is to always be nice to people. I also believe the lesson of not saying anything you would not say to a person face to them online. The things people say online can be as hurtful if not more hurtful than the things said in person. This article taught me that even the small compliments help and that I need to be nice to everyone regardless of how i feel about them. The article was about a girl who was getting taunted online via Myspace. Thirty minutes after a particular statement that said "the world would be better place without," the girl ended her life, she hung herself. Prior to the attack she had a history of depression and low self-esteem.

QT. 2 Outside Reading THREE

Today i read more in the book Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar. What happened in the book was, Serena got to catch up with Blair after coming home from boarding school. They two reunited and remember past times. It reminded although the past might be the past it can still be important in your daily life. Serena and Blair are going through a rough time in their friendship and the past is all they have right now. I believe one message of this chapter is if life is not going so well look into the past and try to remember all the good times, and the bad will feel so insignificant. I will try to remember this all week when things get rough or stressful. I also can not wait to read more in my book and discover what happens between Blair and Serena's friendship since they are only recapping in this chapter. There are a lot of things Blair doesn't know about Serena but eventually will find out!

QT. 2 Outside Reading TWO

This week i read a chapter in Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar. I believe the lesson of this chapter was to to careful what you do in the past, because it will catch up with you. In this case Serena returned home from boarding school and her past was not that of a well behaved teenager. Because she had a messy past her old friends are already judging her and expecting the worst out of her. She also did somethings to her friends that she should not have, although her friends do not know yet, once they do they will no longer want to be friends with her. Serena should have been honest about her past and now she is stuck deeper in her own lies than she could have ever imagined. Serena expected to return home to a perfect life, but forgot all the lies and bad things she had done before, she is about to learn the lesson i learned in this chapter, be careful of your past it can come back to haunt you. I can not wait to read another chapter and see how the lies unfold and how her friends, and family react. 

Qt. 2 Outside Reading One

Today i read an article titled Obama's Grandmother's Final Gift: Her Vote this was by Stephen M. Silverman. This article was about how his grandmother voted absentee only two days before the actual election day. After she voted absentee she passed away, but her vote still counted. Her vote still counted because it counts unless the government receives the death certificate before election day, which they did not. I believe this article also illustrates that you never know the last thing you are going to get to say or do. Illustrating this point you should always do what you believe in and never regret anything, stick to what you think is right. She believed in Obama and got to live her whole life supporting him. Obama stated his Grandmother would be very proud of his win. This article showed me life is short and always to do what you believe in.